RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Families love taking pictures together.  Spend a few minutes at the entrance of Disney World and you will see hundreds of families posing for pictures.

Recently, I had an idea of creating a photo spot for families in our children's ministry hallway.  We put up a simple backdrop with a sign that says "Family Photo Spot."  We also have props they can put on or hold for the picture.

We will have this available year round and change it up for each holiday and season. (examples: red backdrop and hearts for valentines, beach chairs and beach balls for summer, hay bails and pumpkins for fall, etc.)  It's currently a winter scene.

It has been a huge hit.  Families love it.  Create opportunities for families to make memories together and they will be drawn to your church.

Below are some pictures.

Dr. Tim Kimmel's new book entitled "Connecting Church and Home" releases February 19.  Tim is a leading advocate for the family.  He is the Executive Director of Family Matters, whose goal is to build grace based families by equipping and encouraging them for every age and stage of life.

In this book, Tim shows that grace should be the starting point of everything we do at home and church.  He gives us the four dimensions of grace-based parenting that are a workable blueprint for families and churches. 

In clear terms, he reveals that a parent's role is to connect to their child's heart in such a way that the child is prepared to connect to the heart of God.  The role of the church is to connect to the heart of each parent so they are better prepared to be the primary spiritual influence in their child's life.

I am going to take my staff through this book and I would encourage you to dive into it as well.  You will come out of the book with a Biblical vision of what family ministry really is.  You can order a copy of the book at this site.  

I will also be giving away a free copy of the book.  Just email me to enter the drawing.  I will announce the winner here on Thursday, Jan. 10.

Children's Ministry is about relationships.  And there are 3 vital relationships you must cultivate if you are going to thrive.

Volunteers.
You must be able to build a relationship with adult volunteers.  You can be the Pied Piper of kids, but if you can't connect with adults, you will fall flat.  Make sure you spend a big part of your time caring for and pouring into the adults who lead the kids.  The success of your ministry depends on the strength of your relationship with your volunteers. 

Parents.
The relationship you have with parents is just as important as the relationship you have with their kids.  If you are truly going to impact children, then you must first impact their parents.  The 7 day-a-week influence parents have with their children far outweighs the 1-2 hour influence you have with them.  Spend time getting to know parents.  Spend time teaching classes for parents.  Spend time influencing parents.

Children.
Children are just like adults.  They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Get to know the kids.  Spend time talking with them.  Give them your undivided attention.

Cultivate these 3 relationships and you will see your Children's Ministry flourish and fruit that remains will blossom.

#1
Cut some items from your ministry calendar and refocus the time, effort, and resources into a few things that work well.

#2
Go through your facilities and make a list of things that need to be painted, repaired, remodeled, or even thrown out.  Then knock out the list one item at a time.

#3
Ask someone from the outside to come in and be a "mystery shopper."  A new set of eyes will see things that need to be improved that you cannot see.

#4
Confront the few who are not on board with the vision and direction of the ministry.  If they can't get on board, lovingly ask them to step down.  It will breathe new life into your ministry.

#5
Go visit another church that is at the next level you want to be at.  Take notes and implement what will work in your context.

#6
Create a parent focus group and meet with them at least twice a year.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#7
Create a child focus group and meet with them at least twice a year.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#8
Invest heavily in your first-time guest experience.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#9
Enlist, equip, and empower more volunteers.  New volunteers serving in their sweet spot = an improved Children's Ministry.

#10
Improve yourself as a leader.  Read.  Get a mentor.  Stretch yourself.  When you improve...the ministry you lead improves. 

What are some other ways to improve our Children's Ministries in 2013?  Share your ideas and thoughts with us in the comment section below.